Pizza Palace, Chandler's Deli to reopen soon; Long John Silver's has sailed away

Magnolia Ave. restaurants recently down by 3.

Knoxville, TN (Aug. 21, 2020) – Potential COVID-19 exposure caused Pizza Palace, at 3132 E. Magnolia Ave., to close early on Thursday. The business posted the following message on its Facebook page:

“Due to a possible COVID-19 exposure and out of an abundance of caution, we will be closed effective immediately (Thursday, August 20). We believe that we will be able to safely reopen next week. Thank you for your continued support.”

Pizza Palace opened for business on August 10, 1961. For 59 years, it has been a mainstay and a dependable go-to in the East Knoxville area for pizza pies, spaghetti, Greek salad, the house-made Italian dressing and more. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a long-time customer, the Peroulas family has served their original recipes.

The onset and uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States slowed most every business to a crawl. The Pizza Palace management took the extra precaution of closing earlier this year on March 28, for three weeks. During that time some deep cleaning and sprucing up inside and out was done before being given the okay by local officials to safely reopen. At that time, this statement was posted on the Facebook page:

“Due to ongoing concerns and to help limit the spread of Coronavirus, Pizza Palace will be closed effective . This was not an easy decision. However, in order to keep our staff safe and for the greater well being of our community it is in everyone’s best interest that we take this action. While it may not be the most popular option, the sole consideration was to keep our staff out of harm’s way.”

Pizza Palace is a drive-in diner. You order from a drive-up menu with an intercom. Your order is delivered by a car-hop. There has always been minimal customer contact and it offers no inside dining.

To get updates on the reopening visit the Facebook page; or website.

CHANDLER’S DELI REOPENING WITH MENU ADDITIONS

CHANDLER’S DELI at 3101 Magnolia Ave., is almost directly across from the Pizza Palace. On Friday, June 26, the Knoxville Fire Dept. responded to a fire at Chandler’s Deli after 8 pm. The business was closed for the evening and no injuries were reported.

For months before the fire, only drive-thru service was offered due to the coronovirus pandemic. Since the fire, Chandler’s has been closed for structural repairs.

The cafeteria style serving table at Chandler’s Deli will remain. (Photo submitted)

Good news! Owners Charlie and Gwen Chandler anticipate reopening around late September, early October of this year with some potential additions to the menu. They are contemplating the addition of ice-cream, some breakfast items, a few deli sandwiches that may include fried bologna. We will have to wait and salivate until the reopening.

The Chandler’s opened Chandler’s Deli in 2000. The service is cafeteria style with a small dining area and a drive-thru window for pick-up and call-ahead orders.

Although the name is “deli” Chandler’s offers home-style Southern favorites. It’s the go-to for a “meat-and-two sides” of garden vegetables meal. The menu includes selected Monday through Sunday specials.

Damage to Chandler’s Deli after the fire on June 26, 2020. (Photo submitted)

After opening in 2000, Chandler’s quickly became known for it’s “bone-sucking” ribs and bone-in fried chicken. Additional offerings include rotisserie chicken, livers, pork chops, cube steak, and chicken and dressing. Additional offerings include turkey legs, chitterlings and pig’s feet. For the full menu, click here.

While meat is neat, their side dishes take no back seat. You can choose from pinto beans, black-eyed peas, greens, cabbage, mashed potatoes, yams, broccoli casserole, fried okra and more. And on occasion red-beans-and rice or dirty rice. Follow them on Facebook.

LONG JOHN SILVER’S Seafood LLC. recently shuttered locations on Magnolia Ave. in East Knoxville, Oak Ridge and others in the East Tennessee area. These locations have shown signs of decline prior to the pandemic, which may have accelerated the inevitable closures.

Whether or not LJS is one of your faves, these locations and the jobs they provided in these communities will be missed, especially during this crucial time of COVID-19.

The first Long John Silver’s restaurant opened in 1969 in Lexington, KY. Over the next 10 years, the chain grew to over 1,000 and has since became an international brand. The headquarters is in Louisville, KY.

The ETE did not find an official statement from corporate at this time. Click here to find a location near you.